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Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder in which a person severely
limits his or her food intake, has a distorted body image, refuses to maintain
a normal body weight, and is intensely afraid of gaining weight despite being
very underweight. Long-term or severe anorexia can lead to serious health
problems and even death.

Symptoms or signs of anorexia include:

Weighing less than 85% of expected body weight
or failure to make appropriate weight gain for a period of
growth.

Stopping or never getting a monthly menstrual
period.

Overexercising.

Secrecy around food and denial
of a problem with eating.

The cause of anorexia is not known, although certain personality
traits (such as perfectionism) and a family history of eating disorders may
contribute. Anorexia is more frequently found in athletes or people in
professions or sports that require a certain body type, such as modeling,
ballet, theater, or wrestling. Anorexia affects mostly teenage girls and young
women. It can develop in boys, young men, and adult women.

Anorexia can become a lifelong illness, but it is possible to
fully recover with proper treatment.

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